Cabinet calls for more measures to help poor
China will beef up assistance to impoverished people, those on minimum subsistence allowances and the unemployed, a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on April 21.
In the face of unprecedented challenges to economic development, more targeted measures must be adopted to better ensure basic livelihoods and help those most in need, the meeting said.
It decided that the construction of major national projects will prioritize the employment of those living in poverty, and the policy of using employment as a form of relief will be implemented in more areas, with salaries accounting for a higher percentage of project funding.
Given that the impact of the novel coronavirus pneumonia pandemic could lead to people falling back into poverty, supportive policies, such as providing skills training and microloans with discounted interest rates, should be adopted to support vulnerable people, it said.
The meeting said unemployed people without unemployment insurance and those whose incomes are below the standard of subsistence allowances should be covered by such allowances in a timely manner.
The meeting also decided to expand access to minimum subsistence allowances and unemployment insurance.
Party to focus on eliminating formalities
The General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee has issued a circular stressing the need for consistent efforts to eliminate "formalities for formalities' sake" and avoid placing unnecessary burdens on primary-level authorities.
Promoting social and economic development is more difficult this year, the circular said, noting that the country faces mounting risks and challenges in addition to the impact brought by the novel coronavirus pneumonia pandemic.
It highlighted the need to improve the Party's conduct and boost the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of Party members and officials.
Primary-level officials should be freed from formalities for formalities' sake and be able to engage in concrete work, the circular said, noting that this will contribute to securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects as well as eradicating poverty.
Calling for efforts to learn from the experience and lessons derived from combating the pandemic, the circular demanded that the people's interests should always be treated as the highest priority.
It urged Party members and officials to avoid acts that flattered the leadership but disappointed the people. It warned against problems, including ignoring the people's safety and health, stressing that bureaucratism in the poverty alleviation campaign should be addressed.
The circular said the number of meetings held by authorities across the country should be monitored and limited, as should the number of documents issued by governments. The number of documents issued to those at the primary level and the reports demanded from them should be strictly limited.
Supervision and inspection campaigns carried out by higher-level authorities should be more efficient, and the campaigns should not only identify problems but also help solve them.
The research trips of the authorities should not place extra burdens on primary-level governments.
Incentive mechanisms for promoting officials should be improved, and officials who were punished but subsequently performed well should be eligible for promotion.
The circular also urged the delegation of more powers and the allocation of more resources to lower levels.
